Duncan Says 'No Child' Law Can't be a "Blunt" Instrument

Posted: Tue 3:09 PM, Jan 13, 2009&nbsp|&nbsp

Updated: Thu 7:46 AM, Apr 09, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) - The man who's been nominated to be the neweducation secretary says the No Child Left Behind law should stoppunishing schools in which just a handful of kids are struggling. Arne Duncan says in some cases, kids who havedisabilities or who are learning English might struggle, while therest of the students make gains. But the education law requiresprogress across every group in a school. At his Senate confirmation hearing today, Duncan said, "Let'snot take too blunt an instrument to an entire school." Barack Obama has promised to overhaul No Child Left Behind, buthe's been vague about just how far he'll go. School reform advocates who want to keep the law have beenencouraged by the choice of Duncan to head the Department ofEducation. He's run Chicago's public schools for the past sevenyears.

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